Erica Bremner Kneipp, Executive Director, Research
Erica Bremner Kneipp is a senior executive with over 30 years’ experience leading large-scale health and medical research strategy, funding and system reform across governments, research institutions and the private and not‑for‑profit sectors. She has a strong record in translating research investment into measurable improvements for patients, mobilising national research capability to create impact and advocating for innovation to ensure Australian prosperity.
While with Commonwealth Health, Erica architected the multi‑billion‑dollar Medical Research Future Fund, which is focused on investment in health and medical research with potential for translation, and the Biomedical Translation Fund, specifically designed to inject late-stage venture capital to commercialise research. She also spearheaded Australia’s first mission-focused research funding initiatives to tackle priority health conditions. These funds and initiatives, together with Erica’s leadership and implementation of national clinical trial reform, have significantly transformed the health and medical research and innovation landscape in Australia.
Erica has held leadership roles across Commonwealth and state governments, the Australian National University and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Her experience spans primary, tertiary and aged care and delivery, research strategy and management, commercialisation and public-private partnerships. At CSIRO, she led a national human health research portfolio focused on infectious diseases, pandemic preparedness, public health and health system resilience.
Erica brings deep expertise in research funding ecosystems, including priority setting, partnership and business development, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs and investment portfolios. A trusted life sciences leader, Erica is also a Non-Executive Director with AusBiotech, Brandon Biocatalyst and Bioplatforms Australia.